Toward the theory of strongly coupled Quark-Gluon Plasma

The exploration of the strong-interaction matter under extreme conditions is one of the main goals of relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We provide some of the main results on the novel properties of quark-gluon plasma, with particular focus given to the strong collectivity and the color opaqueness exhibited by such hot and dense matter produced in high-energy nuclear collisions at RHIC and the LHC.

Recently there was a significant change of views on physical properties and underlying dynamics of Quark-Gluon Plasma at $T=170-350 MeV$, produced in heavy ion collisions at RHIC. Instead of being a gas of $q,g$ quasiparticles, a near-perfect liquid is observed. Also, precisely in this temperature interval, the interaction deduced from lattice studies is strong enough to support multiple binary bound states. This work is the first variational study of {\em multibody} bound st...

We report on recent research on the properties of elementary particle matter governed by the strong force at high temperatures, where QCD predicts hadrons to dissolve into the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). After a short introduction to the basic elements of QCD in the vacuum, most notably quark confinement and mass generation, we discuss how these phenomena relate to phase changes in strongly interacting matter at high temperature. We briefly review the main experimental findings...

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) was built to re-create and study in the laboratory the extremely hot and dense matter that filled our entire universe during its first few microseconds. Its operation since June 2000 has been extremely successful, and the four large RHIC experiments have produced an impressive body of data which indeed provide compelling evidence for the formation of thermally equilibrated matter at unprecedented temperatures and energy densities -- ...

The current status of Quark-Gluon-Plasma Theory is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on QGP signatures, the interpretation of current data and what to expect from RHIC in the near future.

Data from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over the last five years has led many to conclude that the medium created is not the expected quark gluon plasma (QGP), but rather a strongly coupled or strongly interacting quark gluon plasma (sQGP). We explore the meaning of this possible paradigm shift and some of the experimental and theoretical arguments that are associated with it. In this proceedings we detail only a small subset of the relevant issues as discussed at the H...

In this talk, I reflect on the physical origin of the strongly coupled character of the quark-gluon plasma.

Here we address the question regarding the nature of quark gluon plasma (QGP), whether it is a liquid or strongly coupled plasma (SCP), using two different phenomenological models, namely quasi-particle model (qQGP) and strongly coupled quark gluon plasma (SCQGP). First we compare these two models, both of which explains the results of lattice simulation of quantum chromodynamics, as a function of plasma parameter and conclude that the QGP is largely ($T > 1.5 T_c$) SCQGP and...

We investigate the energy loss of heavy quarks in the gas, liquid and solid phase of a classical quark-gluon plasma (cQGP) using molecular dynamics simulations. The model consists of massive quarks and gluons interacting as a classical non-relativistic colored Coulomb gas. We show that the electric force decorrelates on a short time scale causing the energy loss to be mostly diffusive and langevin-like in the cQGP. We find that the drag coefficient changes with the heavy quar...

I give a brief overview of our present understanding of the high temperature phase of QCD, trying to clarify some of the theoretical issues involved in the current discussions that emphasize the strongly coupled character of the quark-gluon plasma produced at RHIC.